New Tākina convention centre anticipated to boost Wellington economy by $70.4 million

Due to open in June 2023, Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, Tākina, is poised to boost the city’s economy by an estimated $70.4 million between 2023-26.

Tākina is owned by the Wellington City Council and managed through Tākina Events, a partnership with Te Papa combining the Te Papa venues and Tākina under a common brand and managed by Te Papa.

With over 78 new events already booked, delegate spending in Wellington from these events alone is expected to be $70.380 million – $44 million of this in the first year.

This important contribution to the Wellington economy, including money spent in the capital’s many hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and shops, will continue to grow as more events are confirmed and Tākina’s reputation grows.

Confirmed conferences and events include Festival for the Future, New Zealand Veterinary Association’s Centennial Conference, New Zealand Game Developers Association’s Annual Conference, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases’ Annual Scientific Meeting, the International Conference on Digital Preservation (iPRES), and the Congress of the International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS).

The public exhibition gallery on the ground floor will bring events to the city for locals and visitors to enjoy, and ensure every Wellingtonian has a reason to visit Tākina. The opening exhibition will be announced in the coming months.

Tākina has been awarded a Five Green Star Design certification and is funded through Green Bonds – the first convention centre in New Zealand / Aotearoa to achieve this standard. The rating represents New Zealand excellence for environmental sustainability, energy efficiency and leadership in green building – designed, built and operated in a way that reduces negative impacts on the environment.

Designed by Studio Pacific Architecture, Tākina has changed the look of the Wellington skyline with its iconic and unique design.

The environmentally conscious design draws on inspiration from a wide range of sources including its maritime location, Wellington’s dramatic and sometimes wild weather patterns and landforms, and also draws on Māori mythology and the legends of Te Upoko o Te Ika a Maui – the head of the great fish of Māui.

Taranaki Whānui gifted the name Tākina to celebrate the unique Wellington winds and the part they played in shaping Wellington – Tākina means to encounter and invoke the winds.

Image above: Takina entrance construction July 2022 Credit Wellington City Council